Refrigeration device with temperature detection means

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigeration devices with heat exchangers require numerous temperature sensors along their length for effective defrosting and monitoring, which is complex, costly, and difficult to implement, especially in prefabricated heat exchangers with fins or ribs.

Innovation Solution

A heat-conducting tube filled with refrigerant, acting as a heat pipe, is inserted at an angle into a recessed groove in the heat exchanger, allowing for efficient temperature detection and monitoring over the entire length with minimal components and easy installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple temperature sensors are provided at different points on the heat exchanger, then temperature monitoring reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature monitoring reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple temperature sensing functions into a single heat pipe component. The heat pipe contains refrigerant that circulates through its inclined structure, allowing it to detect temperatures at multiple points along its length simultaneously. This merging of multiple sensing functions into one component reduces device complexity while maintaining monitoring reliability across the entire heat exchanger length

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat pipe serves multiple functions: it acts as both a thermal conduction path for refrigerant circulation and a temperature detection means. By making the temperature detection system multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate sensors at multiple locations, thereby reducing the number of components and overall system complexity while ensuring reliable temperature monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple temperature sensors are installed along the heat exchanger length, then complete defrosting control is improved, but installation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefrosting control reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple temperature detection functions into a single heat pipe that can be installed in one location. The inclined heat pipe allows refrigerant to circulate and detect temperatures along its entire length, providing comprehensive defrosting control data without requiring multiple separate sensor installations at different heat exchanger points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the temperature detection function from multiple separate sensor locations and consolidates it into a single heat pipe component. This extraction simplifies installation by requiring only one access point on the heat exchanger while still providing temperature information from multiple effective positions along the heat pipe's inclined path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If a large number of temperature sensors are used, then temperature detection precision is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection precisionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the temperature detection capability of multiple sensors into a single heat pipe. The heat pipe's inclined structure allows refrigerant to circulate and equilibrate with temperatures at various points along its length, providing precise temperature detection data without requiring multiple separate sensor components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat pipe performs the universal function of temperature detection across multiple locations simultaneously. By using the refrigerant circulation within the heat pipe as a multi-functional detection mechanism, the patent achieves comprehensive temperature monitoring precision while using only one detection component instead of multiple sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables effective monitoring and defrosting of refrigeration devices with fewer sensors, reducing installation complexity and cost, while maintaining efficient operation and minimizing defrosting time.

Implementation Method 1

a heat-conducting tube filled with a refrigerant is provided as the temperature detection means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the refrigerant reappears due to circulation inside the heat pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefrigerant circulation: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the two-phase mixture of refrigerant condenses at the coldest point of the heat pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

The coldest temperature then automatically goes down together with the cold part of the refrigerant due to the inclined arrangement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3622239B1Refrigeration device with temperature detection means
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 MEYER FRIEDHELM
  • EP3622239B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3622239B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a refrigeration device (10) comprising at least one heat exchanger (1) for a cold side, said heat exchanger being provided with a plurality of heat exchanger elements (2), which are combined so as to form a main part (11) of the heat exchanger (1), and temperature detection means which allow the detection of temperatures on the heat exchanger (1). A heat pipe (3) which is filled with a coolant is provided as the temperature detection means, said heat pipe being inserted at least partly into a cut-out (4), bore, and/or recess of the main part (11) in a formfitting manner, wherein the heat pipe (3) has an inclination of at least one degree relative to the horizontal of the refrigeration device (10).